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September 2026
Vol. 30, No. 6
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Valparaiso Lookouts play
AMERICA’S PASTIME by 1858 rules Text and Photos By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer Most people are familiar with America’s pastime in its current form, and even casual fans often have an understanding of the way the game is played. But how many baseball fans know about base ball — the two-word version? When “base ball” is written as two words, it refers to the gentleman’s game that was played during the mid- to late-19th century. It is now known as “Vintage Base Ball,” where players serve as historical re-enactors, showing how the sport was played in its early days — with barehanded catches that could bounce before being caught to count as an out, where everyone has a nickname, and where the bats were heavier VINTAGE PITCH — Don “Hammer” Bentley, a member of the Valparaiso Lookout Vintage Base ball Team, tosses to the batter at a recent game. Vintage base ball plays by 1858 rules.
MAKING CONTACT — Tony “Quack” Suarez hits the ball during a recent vintage base ball game. Suarez is a member of the Valparaiso Lookouts. In vintage base ball, the bats are heavier and the ball is softer.
BALL IN PLAY — Nick “Banjo” Wardell catches a ball in the outfield during a recent vintage baseball game. Wardell plays for the Va l p a r a i s o Lookouts.
Continued on page 4
FIELD OF DREAMS — Patrick “Pokey” Mullins, a member of the Valparaiso Lookouts, poses for a photo before a recent game. The Lookouts are a vintage base ball team where the bats were heavier, pitches were underhand and no one wore a glove.
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Porter County Office:506 Evans Avenue Lake County Office:
County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 57 Street, Suite 203 409Franklin E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222Plum Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
Connie Bauswell, CELA* Connie L.L.Bauswell, CELA* www.conniebauswell.com www.conniebauswell.com
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2 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Key Positions
Shop owner always keeps something brewing Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer What is it about coffee that draws people and keeps them coming back for more, if not for the drinks, then for the conversation? Is it the aroma? Is it childhood memories of watching one’s mother run coffee beans through the supermarket grinder? Is it a certain flavor of coffee that draws you? Whatever the reason, people - even non-coffee drinkers - kept walking past Scott Ott’s Valparaiso Market tent for Maple City Roasters. If they weren’t purchasing a cup or taking home a bag of beans, they commented about the rich scents coming through Central Park Plaza. As Ott explains, “If you’re a coffee drinker, you have to start every morning with a coffee. It’s just a part of your day, and that coffee has to be just the way you want it.” Ott, 62, has owned Maple City Roasters for 14 years. Today, he has a shop in Michigan City. Ott noted the vast majority of Americans love their coffee. The numbers back up his claim. According to eathealthy365. com, about 67% of Americans drink coffee every day. That equates to 175 million coffee drinkers. Including those who had a cup the previous week, that adds up to 75% of American adults. EarthWeb reports Americans drink 400 million cups of coffee each day. Ott’s business is doing its part. Maple City offers about 50 different flavored coffees, along with
teas. The shop also offers K-cups, CBD-infused coffee and weightloss coffee. And, yes, if all you want is that regular cup of coffee, you can get that at Maple City. Ott’s favorite flavored coffee is butter caramel. Among his customers, a favorite blend is Ethiopian. “The taste is smooth, low acid, and not bitter,” Ott said. “A lot of people like to drink it black.” The Kingsbury resident entered the coffee world after 28 years in the printing business. It started with a trip to Costa Rica with a buddy. The buddy was considering the purchase of a coffee plantation, but the deal never materialized. For his troubles, Ott received a half-container of coffee from Costa Rica and a full container from Colombia. Each container holds 275 bags of coffee, or 42,350 pounds. Today, Maple City’s coffee comes from such international locations as Indonesia, the Congo, Costa Rica, Honduras, Peru and Colombia. Ott likes to use Honduran coffee beans for flavoring. Ott reports receiving 1,800 pounds of coffee each month. Among the varied flavors of coffee are Snickerdoodle, maple pecan crème, chocolate raspberry or strawberry, black walnut, hazelnut, triple nut crunch, maple bacon, butter rum and apple cinnamon donut. Ott believes the key to great coffee is in the roasting. “Roasted coffee achieves its peak flavor and aroma right after roasting,” he explained. When it comes to ground coffee, Ott believes whole-bean
GRINDING PACE — Scott Ott, owner of Maple City Roasters, grinds coffee beans for a customer at the Valparaiso Market. He offers nearly 50 different flavored coffees and teas. coffee is best, grinding the beans just before brewing. As Ott tells his customers, “You pick ‘em out, I’ll grind ‘em.” People come to Ott with their coffee stories. One man had his own grinder at home. A woman, caring for her granddaughter while her daughter was teaching, noted how she had missed her morning coffee and drove out of the way for a cup. Among the coffees Ott was serving hot that Tuesday were Maple City Blend (medium roast), Jamaican Me Crazy, butter caramel, Sumatra dark and decaf Colombian. For more information on Maple City Roasters, call (219) 608-1972 or visit maplecityroasters.com.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE — Scott Ott, owner of Maple City Roasters, bags an order for a customer at the Valparaiso Market. Ott’s business offered brewed coffee and teas, along with a large selection of bagged coffee beans.
Lakeside 55 Plus Community: A place to call home By ADAM MCNEIL Manager At Lakeside Community in Rensselaer, residents enjoy the comfort of homeownership in a welcoming 55 plus neighborhood designed for active, independent living. Lakeside Community is committed to helping people retire well by providing quality homes, meaningful friendships and a place residents are proud to call home. Brand-new homes are available to tour and purchase on-site starting at just $139,900, or you can custom order a home tailored to your needs and have it placed within the community. As you enter, you’ll notice the pride residents take in their homes and beautifully maintained yards. Every home reflects the individuality of its owner, creating a community that is attractive and inviting. At the heart of Lakeside is the community clubhouse, where neighbors quickly become friends. Serving as the social hub of the neighborhood, the clubhouse hosts weekly planned activities
and events that make it easy to stay active, engaged and connected. Whether you’re joining a game night, sharing coffee with friends, enjoying the beach or attending one of the many community gatherings, there’s always something happening. Convenient onsite management and clubhouse amenities make everyday living comfortable and worry-free. Located near charming Rensselaer, Lakeside offers the perfect balance of peaceful smalltown living and convenient access to larger nearby cities. Residents appreciate being just minutes from excellent medical care, along with a variety of shopping, dining, community festivals, arts and local events. It’s the ideal location for those who want a relaxed lifestyle without sacrificing modern conveniences. If you’re ready to discover why so many are choosing Lakeside Community for their next chapter, contact Bonny and the Lakeside team today. Visit enjoylakeside.com or call (219) 866-5165 to schedule your personal tour and experience the Lakeside lifestyle for yourself.
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 3
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4 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Spotlight
Gabis Arboretrum director drawn by love of outdoors By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer
on new challenges throughout my career here.” Prior to working at the Arboretum, Reed worked as outside counsel for a large Chicago transportation company in its contracts department. “I genuinely enjoyed that work. To me, contracts are a bit like a treasure hunt, solving puzzles and finding solutions,” said Reed. “I thoroughly enjoyed my job, but it came time to find something that was better for my family at the time.”
After 10 years as part of the team at the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest in Valparaiso, Sarah Reed was promoted to director of operations. “Over the years, I’ve held several positions at the Arboretum, and each one has been enjoyable and rewarding in its own way,” said Reed. “I’ve been fortunate to grow alongside the organization and take
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www.seniorlifenewspapers.com Senior Life newspapers are monthly publications dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the adults over 50 in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Each of the four editions focus on local news, features, photos and profiles for each area. Senior Life is privately owned and published by The Papers Incorporated. CORPORATE OFFICE The Papers Incorporated, 206 S. Main St., P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542, 574-658-4111 STAFF Ron Baumgartner, Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rbaumgartner@the-papers.com Annette Weaver, Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aweaver@the-papers.com Kristin DeVittorio, Director Of Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . kdevittorio@the-papers.com Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dpatterson@the-papers.com Account Executive Rebecca Berggren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . slwest@the-papers.com • 219-241-5483 Lauren Zeugner, Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lzeugner@the-papers.com Jerry Long, Circulation Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jlong@the-papers.com EDITORIAL DEADLINES Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15th Month Prior St. Joseph Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th Month Prior Allen Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior Northwest Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $42 for one year; and $71 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. To order a subscription, call 574-658-4111. ADVERTISING For advertising deadlines call your sales representative. The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers. Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. To advertise contact Rebecca Berggren at 219-241-5483 or slwest@the-papers.com. PRODUCTION Senior Life is digitally composed on Macintosh Computers using Digital Technology’s Newspaper Publishing Suite software and Photoshop software. Submit ads as .tif, .eps or .pdf files. ASCII (generic text) may be submitted via email or on CD/DVD. Check our website at www.the-papers.com for guidelines on preparing ads electronically. Graphics for ads can be emailed as PDF files to adcomp@the-papers.com. If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll walk you through it. REPRINT RIGHTS Reprinting in part or whole of any article in Senior Life is not allowed without express written permission from Senior Life.
She ended up going in a completely different direction. “An ad came up for a farm hand. Something about that ad intrigued me, so I applied. My first job at the Arboretum was caring for the animals that were on the property at the time,” she explained. “I worked about three hours a day feeding animals, cleaning enclosures and handling daily care. It was completely different from my previous career, but from the beginning, the Arboretum felt like home.” Her work there shifted later to a full-time grounds position and later to grounds and facilities supervisor. “Every day was different. Whether building fences, maintaining trails, caring for landscapes or responding to whatever challenges nature brought our way, I loved being outdoors with a great team,” said Reed. “To this day I can say every trailhead sign on the property was dug and leveled by myself. I can tell you where it will take you five minutes to dig a post hole or where it will take an hour.” Reed’s love of the outdoors came from growing up on an Iowa farm. She’s proud to now be able to help provide a green space that includes native plants and animals for Northwest Indiana. “One of my favorite parts of the job is building partnerships throughout the community and helping more people discover everything the arboretum offers,” she said. “Damien and Rita Gabis envisioned the arboretum as a place where people across Northwest Indiana could connect with nature, enjoy wildlife, find peace, spend time with family, jog, stroll through the trails, watch the clouds float by and recharge outdoors.” In addition to establishing and continuing community partnerships, Reed is able to drum up new programs, events and experiences to help people connect with nature in meaningful ways,” Reed added. “I’m always looking for creative ways to make the Arboretum welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and the resident wildlife,” she said. “Every day brings a new opportunity to help both our community and our natural spaces thrive, and that’s what makes this work so rewarding.” Reed and her husband, Collin, have three children and one granddaughter. At home, she also has 17 chickens, two sheep, five Guinea hog pigs, an American breed of small black hairy pigs, and four beehives. She has enjoyed being involved in Girl and Boy Scouts as her children were growing up. Currently, she is a member of the Xerces Society, Tree Campus USA, Northwest Indiana Landscape Association and Northwest Indiana Beekeepers Association. Reed invites you to explore the grounds and railway garden to find your favorite trail, tree or plant. For more information, visit pnw.edu/gabis-arboretum/.
LOVING THE OUTDOORS — Sarah Reed, director of operations for the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, is shown dressed as a monarch butterfly for an event at the arboretum. Reed says one thing she loves about her job is being outdoors. Photo provided.
Valparaiso Lookouts Continued from page 1
and the balls were softer. There are currently more than 200 vintage base ball teams across the country, including the Valparaiso Lookouts. Tony “Quack” Suarez joined the team in 2020. “We were established as the Sunset Hill Colonels in 2014 when the Porter County Parks Department organized a pickup game at Sunset Hill Park for their Spring Out Festival. It was such a success that the parks department decided to sponsor a team,” he said. When some construction was done at the park in 2018, the team had to relocate. “Since we were dropping the Sunset Hill affiliation, the team decided to rebrand entirely. After several hours of research at the Porter County Museum by our field captain, Scott Cvelbar, it was determined that the first organized base ball club was named the Lookouts, way back in 1867. The team agreed to adopt the name ‘Lookouts’ in homage to the original team.” Joshua “Hacksaw” Susec is in his third season as a member of the team. “I grew up playing baseball and was looking for a way to continue playing when a friend introduced me to the team,” he said. Susec loves being part of a team again. “My favorite part is the camaraderie,” said Susec. “We have a great group of guys and it’s always a fun experience for the players (ballists) and the fans (cranks), alike.” Susec loves being part of a team again. “My favorite part is the camaraderie,” said Susec. “We have a great group of guys and it’s always a fun experience for the players (ballists) and the fans (cranks), alike.” Suarez agrees that the camaraderie is what makes the game worth playing. “I love the competition and the whole vibe around what we do. We’ll say
things like, ‘Huzzah!’ to celebrate a good play,” he said. “My favorite part, though, is the camaraderie with my teammates and players from the other teams. After each home game, we host a lunch for all the ballists to enjoy.” The Lookouts play by the rules of 1858. Suarez noted the most noticeable difference in comparison to modern baseball: The pitching is done underhand. There are no called balls or strikes; therefore, you cannot walk, and the only way you can strike out is if the “striker” (batter) swings and misses three times. If the ball touches fair territory, it is fair. It does not need to stay fair past first or third base. There is no tagging up. Runners can run on any struck ball. If the fielder catches the ball on the fly, the runner may return to their base. A ball that is caught on one bound by a fielder results in the striker being out. No gloves. Fielders catch balls with their bare hands. The team has about 12-15 members, and they are always looking for new players to join the team. They average about two games per month from May to October. Home games are played at the intramural field on the campus of Valparaiso University, which is across the street from the Valparaiso University Police Department. You can learn more about the game rules from the Vintage Base Ball Association (vintagebaseball.com). Learn more about the Valparaiso Lookouts on their “Valparaiso Lookouts Vintage Base Ball Club” Facebook page. As they near the end of the season, the base ball club will be on the road in Elkhart on Sept. 19. Watch the Lookouts play at their final home game of the season on Oct. 3 against the Continental Base Ball Club. Spectators are invited, and admission is free.
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 5
Show your children and grandchildren just how much you love them
By CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney At Rice & Rice Attorneys, we have been doing estate planning for 54 years. As a result of these
many years of experience, we have learned how to protect the families of our clients in a number of unique ways. Do you have a child in an unhappy marriage? There is a protective trust that can help make sure that the money left to your child will stay with your child and not be taken by the daughter-in-law or son-in-law. If you would like to set some money aside for your grandchildren’s future, we can set up an education trust. If you want your children to receive their money over a period of years, we can design a spray trust. If you would like to protect your home or other assets from
being caught in a spend-down, we can protect those assets by placing them into a Medicaid trust. If you know someone who has a farm and would like to keep it in the family, there are a number of farm trusts that will accomplish that. You can make gifts to young children or grandchildren using a minor’s trust, or care for your pets using a pet trust. Do you have a child who is just not able to hang onto money? We can protect that child by using a spendthrift trust. If you have a disabled child who is receiving Medicaid or SSDI benefits, a special needs trust will provide for that child, and yet the child will
Coffee a healthy break By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Coffee might be considered the WD-40 of the food system. It’s been cited as a defensive mechanism against health risks ranging from sunburn to diabetes. Scientific, medical and diet gurus around the globe claim drinking three to five cups a day is a healthy regimen. While not the source of nutrients found in diets of the health-conscious, an eight-ounce cup of coffee, regular or decaffeinated, contains more dis-
ease-fighting antioxidants than a typical serving of blueberries or oranges. The anti-coffee culture points out that coffee causes nervousness, keeps you awake at night and boosts your blood pressure. Caffeine also reduces the risk of cirrhosis of the liver as well as lowering the odds of death by heart disease among the elderly. Studies have also revealed coffee drinkers are less likely to develop basal-cell carcinoma - skin cancer - than noncoffee drinkers. Coffee has also been found to reduce pain, protect against strokes, fight depression
and a variety of cancers and protect the liver. While the consensus is that coffee can be good for you, it shouldn’t be considered a cureall. If coffee gives you the jitters, try decaf. If that doesn’t work, talk with your doctor. Go easy on milk, cream, sugar and other coffee-shop add-ons because they add calories to an otherwise low-calorie beverage. As with anything that involves your health and well-being, discuss your coffee habits with your primary care physician. Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
not lose government benefits. This is sophisticated planning, so you will want to talk to someone who has the experience to meet your needs and the needs of your loved ones. Legal help is available at Rice & Rice Attorneys, 100 Lincolnway, Suite 1, Valparaiso. Call (800) 303-7423 to schedule an appointment for
a free consultation or to attend one of our free elder law dinner workshops: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, or Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville. Reservations required; seating is limited! Call now: (800) 3037423 or visit riceandrice.com.
S. O. S. – Speaking Of Seniors
Fighting Medicare fraud On Aug. 19, a client came to my office for help contacting Medicare about suspected Medicare fraud. I listened to her and read the papers that she brought. Then, we phoned Medicare. The facts suggested that a private company had filed a claim with Medicare saying that it had shipped durable medical equipment to her and charged Medicare and the client when it never shipped anything to the client. It had billed Medicare almost $3,500 and had already collected over $2,100 from Medicare. Plus, it billed our client over $500 for the balance. I helped our client file a complaint with Medicare against the company that did this. Be alert and check the Medicare Summary Notice for suspicious claims. Then file a complaint on any shady claim. Let’s work together to fight
By WOODROW WILCOX Senior Problem Resolution Officer Senior Care Insurance Services Medicare fraud that hurts our country.
Woodrow Wilcox works at Senior Care Insurance Services in Merrillville. Check his articles and videos at CitizenWoodrow.TV.
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6 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Finance
5 Social Security resources that can protect elders from scams By DANIEL SUMMER, MA Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was celebrated June 15. On this day, communities, seniors, caregivers, governments, organizations and the private sector united to prevent the mistreatment of and violence against older people. Social Security scams are widespread across the United States. Scammers use sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. They target everyone - especially the elderly - and their tactics continue to evolve. Here are five easy-to-use resources to prevent Social Security fraud:
1. Create your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to stay one step ahead of scammers. 2. Read our blog post to learn how to guard your Social Security card – and protect your personal information at ssa.gov/blog/en/ posts/2025-06-05.html. 3. Check out our Protect Yourself from Scams page to learn how we fight scammers at ssa.gov/scam. 4. Read our Scam Alert fact sheet to learn what tactics scammers use and how to protect yourself at ssa.gov/ fraud/assets/materials/EN05-10597.pdf. 5. Learn about other types of fraud on our Office of the Inspector General’s Scam Awareness page at oig.ssa.
gov/scam-awareness/scamalert. You’ll also see how to report these scams to our OIG and other government agencies. Share this information with your friends and family to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMMERS — The Social Security Administration has five easy-to-use resources to prevent Social Security fraud. Find out more at ssa.gov. Photo provided by the Social Security Administration.
Teens honored in Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship contest Two Chicago-area teens were named second-place winners of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s national 2026 Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship contest. Mysha Kazi, from Lincolnwood, Ill., was the second-place winner in the video category, and Addison Rehtorik, from Valparaiso, was the second-place winner in the essay category. Both were awarded $2,500 scholarships for their entries about how their experiences caring for people living with dementia inspired them to pursue careers in health care. “As caregivers, Mysha and Addison are already hands-on in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and making a tremendous difference. Their compassion and commitment are inspiring,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, AFA president and CEO. “We congratulate Mysha and Addison and thank them for sharing their experiences, which will help raise Alzheimer’s awareness and remind other families and caregivers
that they are not alone.” Kazi shared her personal experiences caring for her grandmother, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, blindness and Type 2 diabetes. Kazi helps her grandmother with everyday activities, including feeding and personal care. “Whether it’s taking her to the bathroom or feeding her, it shows me the importance of staying strong for her and being the person that she needs. It’s teaching me how to be patient, how to be resilient, how to slow down, not to take things for granted, and enjoy time with my family,” Kazi said. In addition to her experiences caring for her grandmother, Kazi is training to become a certified nursing assistant and works with older adults in a dementia care setting. She also participated in scientific research, exploring the potential relationship between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease. Kazi recently graduated
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from Sheboygan Falls High School and will attend Columbia University this fall, where she plans to continue pursuing health care and research. Rehtorik wrote about how caring for people living with dementia as a certified nursing assistant at a local care setting shaped her values and inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. “Because of this experience, Alzheimer’s has not just been a topic I learned about in class - it has become something I witness, navigate and reflect on almost every day. It has changed my perspective on memory, relationships, family, responsibility and my future career. Most importantly, it has shaped the person I am becoming. “Working in a dementia unit has changed how I value time. I have learned that moments matter more than I ever realized. When a resident remembers my name after weeks of confusion, it feels like a victory. When someone lights up because I played music from their childhood, I see how powerful connection can be. I have learned that even if a person cannot remember our interaction later, the feeling of comfort in that moment is still real and meaningful. This has changed the way I approach not only my job, but my life outside of work.” Rehtorik recently graduated from Washington Township High School and will attend Ball State University this fall, working toward a nursing
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degree. She hopes to become a registered nurse specializing in geriatric or memory care. AFA’s annual Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest asks high school seniors to describe how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their lives, what they have learned about themselves, their families and their community in the face of this disease, and what their plans are for bringing awareness to the disease in the future. Students can submit entries as
essays or videos, and more than 1,400 students entered the 2026 contest. This year, AFA awarded more than $73,000 in college scholarships to 96 students from across the country. More than $600,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception. For more information about AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest, or to donate in support of the program, call AFA at (866) 2328484 or visit alzfdn.org.
Crooks thrive on seniors By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Retirees are sitting targets for scammers and schemers. Seniors lose some $3 billion each year to crooks, according to investigators. While seniors are pretty savvy about scams, they’re among the most vulnerable victims because so many of them live alone. They also lose the most money because schemers target them with high-ticket scams involving romance, online purchases, credit renewals, travel, job offers and investments, and whatever schemers adjust according to what’s in the news. No sooner do people catch on to a scam, such as callers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, the crooked tactics change but the aim remains the same - getting your money. A common approach is a claim that someone has overpaid you for something and they’d like you to return that amount they claim they over paid. They may sound apologetic or frantic about making the error, but just hang up. Even if you see a check deposited in your account, don’t try to cash it. It’ll more than likely bounce. Most folks are unaware that the banking system may not recognize a counterfeit check for several days after it’s been cleared in your account. Don’t refund any overpayments if you’re paid by check. If you receive an overpayment, don’t deposit the check and ask
for one with the correct amount. Another sign that you’re being conned is a request for payment - or repayment - through some such form as PayPal, gift card, money order, wire transfer or bitcoin. If you feel you must send money, pay with a credit card. Federal law protects credit card users from fraudulent charges and limits your liability. Credit cards can also protect you when you’re shopping online, where you can pay for products or services that never get delivered or are of much poorer quality than you were led to believe. You can protect yourself while you’re online by writing the name of the company in your search engine and then adding the words “scam” or “complaints” to check its level of quality. Talking or texting by phone or computer is usually how schemers lure the lonely but a reluctance to meet in person is usually a red flag that the contact is a scam. Increasing talk of the need to pay bills for back rent or medical issues is how they begin to extract cash from their victims. They may work the theft into the overpayment scheme by saying they’d like to send you a gift or asking you to receive some money for them. Keep in mind, this is someone you’ve never even met no matter how friendly or genuine they sound over the phone or on line. Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 7
Blast to the Past!
‘Disco Duck’ was a DJ’s parody Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots At one time, silly novelty songs were commonplace on the radio. The 1950s brought us “The Purple People Eater” (Sheb WoolA Boomer Blast ey) and “The To The Past Chipmunk By RANDAL Song” (the C. HILL Chipmunks). The next decade offered “Alley Oop” (the Hollywood Argyles) and “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” (Alan Sherman). But when shots unexpectedly rang out in Dallas on a bright, sunny Friday in November 1963, nothing on the radio seemed funny anymore. Flash forward to the fall of 1976. Rick Dees (born Rigdon Osmond Dees III in 1950) was a fun-loving Memphis radio disc jockey who had earned a reputation for creating preposterous promotions such as the world’s largest fruitcake (3,000 pounds), the world’s largest jelly doughnut (300 pounds), the world’s largest lollipop (150 pounds), and the world’s largest T-shirt (9 feet by 14 feet). In the mid-1970s, disco reigned as a dominant musical force, and disco’s what DJ Dees hyped as a part-time hustle at a local club, where he spun records and cracked jokes. Sensing that the time was right for a disco parody, and recalling a 1966 dance hit called “The Duck” by singer Jackie Lee, Dees came up with “Disco Duck” after hearing a fellow named Ken Pruitt making silly duck noises at a gym where the two worked out. See if you can spot the error in Dees’s lyrics. “Went to a party the other night “All the ladies were treatin’ me right “Movin’ my feet to the disco beat “How in the world could I keep my seat? “All of a sudden I began to change “I was on the dance floor actin’ strange “Flappin’ my arms, I began to cluck “Look at me, I’m the disco duck” Rick found a minor-league Memphis recording home - Freetone Records - for “Disco Duck.” Before long, Dees’s yuk-producing novelty began earning radio airplay throughout the South and eventually appearing poised to go nationwide. As a result, Freetone, for $3,500, leased the recording master to the powerful RSO label, an outfit that was keeping the charts afire with one peppy Bee Gees hit after another. RSO mogul Al Coury admitted
later, “I didn’t even want to hear it.” He didn’t mind doing a bit of research, though. “I don’t generally use my kids as a barometer, but I’ve got to admit they made me think about the universal appeal this thing might have.” There’s little doubt that everyone involved (including Dees) watched in slack-jawed astonishment as the wacky item rocketed to the peak of the Billboard charts and eventually sold a reported 6 million copies. RSO rushed out an LP called “The Original Disco Duck,” which struggled to No. 157 on the album sales lists. The next single pulled from that record was “Dis-Gorilla,” a romp describing the joys of a disco-dancing gorilla. But it never hit, and follow-up 45s tanked. Apparently, the record-buying public had had enough such foolishness. Did you spot the lyrical faux
pas? Ducks don’t cluck. They quack. Chickens cluck. But then, how hip would something called “Disco Chicken” have sounded? Bibliography Books: Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition).” (p. 445) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992. Shannon, Bob and John Javna. “Behind the Hits: Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll.” (p. 65) New York: Warner Books, Inc. 1986. The Al Coury quote is from here. Internet: Breihan, Tom. “Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots – ‘Disco Duck (Part 1).” Sept. 17, 2019. stereogum.com. Rick Dees, Disco Duck. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org. “’Disco Duck’ By Rick Dees and
‘DISCO DUCK’ CREATOR — Rick Dees, a radio disc jockey, created Disco Duck after recalling a 1966 dance hit “The Duck” by Jackie Lee. Photo from the Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection at the UCLA Library and Wikapedia. His Cast of Idiots.” (No author or date listed) songfacts.com. Lindain, Liz. “Beloved ‘70s
Singer with Classic No. 1 Hit Song, Turns 76.” March 14, 2026. parade.com.
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8 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Sports
Cardio Drumming – ‘Fun disguised as exercise’ Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer If you think cardio drumming is a bunch of heart patients banging on drums, think again. It helps the heart, plus much more. Cardio drumming blends movement with the act of drumming. It involves using lightweight drumsticks on an elevated surface, sometimes a yoga ball mounted on plastic buckets. Northwest Indiana has several sites for cardio drumming, and among those leading the drumbeat is Chicks with Drumstix Cardio Drumming. The group started in Hobart and has expanded to classes in Porter County. Leading the groups are Mariana Gonzalez-Clough and Dalena Jimenez. Gonzalez-Clough started the program at the Hobart Family YMCA, and today she and Jimenez lead classes at Woodland Park in Portage, Carley Newton Group Fitness in South Haven and the Hobart Police complex in downtown Hobart. The whole idea behind cardio drumming, Jimenez explained, is “an aerobic exercise to make it fun, with upbeat music.” The class helps with cardio and muscle strength, providing a
social, physical and mental workout, she continued, “but most of all, fun. We like to say it’s fun disguised as exercise.” Gonzalez-Clough has been teaching the class since 2019, starting at the Hobart Family YMCA and then expanding to Hobart Parks and the police complex. This mother of four was involved at the Hobart Y when she was asked to lead cardio drumming. She did her homework, and eventually the class grew. Jimenez posted a video of Gonzalez-Clough’s class on Facebook, drawing the attention of Portage Parks. “I love dancing and connecting with people who share that passion,” said Gonzalez-Clough, who holds down three other jobs. “This really helps!” Brittany Luna of Portage has been cardio drumming for two years. Looking for something new and different, she said, “It doesn’t feel like exercise. Like a lot of things, at first it was difficult, but the more I do it, the easier.” Luna, who played basketball in high school, is training for a triathlon. With cardio drumming, she said, “I’m able to move much better.” Savana Kolodziej of Valparaiso
DRUMMING UP FITNESS — Women participate in a cardio drumming class at the Hobart Police complex. Similar clases take place at sites in Portage and South Haven. came for her second class following a friend’s recommendation. “It’s very upbeat and fun,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like a typical workout.” As explained by biologyinsights.com, cardio drumming “provides the full-body workout that elevates the heart rate while remaining gentle on the knees, hips and ankles.” Specifically for older adults, the rhythmic action of cardio drumming elevates the heart rate through aerobic engagement, improves circulation and can reduce other health risk factors in seniors.
Cardio drumming, the website adds, can lead to cognitive stimulation, enhanced coordination and balance. Sally Sarich of Hobart enjoys “just the atmosphere, the energy, and the workout. It is a really good workout.” Mary Medina of Valparaiso likes the music and the people around her. “It makes me feel relaxed,” she said. As led by Jimenez, class participants take part in multiple exercises, often during one song. Movements may include marching, jumping jacks and moving crisscross while banging on two
exercise balls. Glen Geiselman of Portage just completed his first class, coming on the recommendation of his wife, Marie. Geiselman said, “It’s probably the best workout I’ve had in a long time, but it did not feel like a workout.” Marie Geiselman added, “It’s fun and it relieves stress. Maybe you’ve had a hard day, but you come here and you don’t feel so bad.” Gonzalez-Clough wants participants to “feel better, stress relieved, sweaty, and with a big smile when they walk out of it.”
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publicly supported 501c3 nonprofit organization that has the mission of improving lives in a specific place. Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana, and we are focused on supporting causes that make life better for people in our region. In 2025, we awarded over $6.5 million in grants and scholarships. These grants and scholarships are a direct investment in Lake County’s future, and they are only possible with donations from the community. Unlike a private or family foundation, whose wealth may come from a single source, Legacy Foundation’s assets come from the contributions of many individuals, families, and organizations. Donors give to Legacy for
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 9
Escape The Everyday Routine -
Summer travel experiences worth logging off for Feature Impact - Between busy schedules, daily responsibilities and the seemingly nonstop pace of everyday life, taking time to disconnect can feel impossible. This summer, make an effort to step away from daily distractions and reconnect with yourself, your passions and the moments that matter most. Whether it’s a solo seaside escape, a culinary adventure with friends or a memory-making family vacation, World of Hyatt’s Global Summer Offers give members access to exclusive savings of up to 25% on stays at participating hotels and resorts across the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Africa, making it easy to plan a perfect getaway to escape the everyday this summer. From paddleboarding in the Bahamas to wandering through Panama’s historic streets, these curated destination recommendations offer inspiration for every kind of traveler. Sun-Soaked Seaside Escapes Some summer vacations are about trading packed schedules for ocean breezes and sun-soaked days by the water. For a chic coastal escape, The Georgian, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, brings timeless glamour to the shores of Santa Monica. Just steps from the ocean, this iconic art deco hotel serves as the perfect seaside retreat for biking along the boardwalk, relaxing on the beach and exploring Santa Monica’s vibrant dining scene. Every detail of a stay at Dreams Puerto Morelos Resort & Spa is crafted to inspire relaxation, connection and discovery. The all-inclusive resort offers a vibrant escape where contemporary comfort meets timeless Caribbean charm in a tropical haven designed for couples and families alike. Memory-Making Family Adventures Families looking to make
CULTURAL DISCOVERY — Plan a summer vacation that includes cultural discovery steeped in history. Photo provided by World of Hyatt. the most of summer together can head to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, where every day brings a new adventure. From splashing through the resort’s waterpark and visiting the on-site wildlife sanctuary to enjoying family-friendly dining across more than 45 restaurants and lounges, there’s something for guests of all ages to enjoy together. Along the shores of Kanapali Beach in Maui, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa provides the perfect setting for families to create lasting memories together. Families can fill their days with everything from culinary experiences to sunrise yoga, snorkeling and wildlife tours. Younger guests can even channel their inner sea creature during the resort’s popular mermaid classes. Flavor-Filled Getaways Combining contemporary luxury with Moroccan charm, Park Hyatt Marrakech is an authentic gateway to the destination’s rich culinary heritage. Guests can immerse themselves in local culinary traditions through hands-on experiences, from mastering classic dishes alongside the hotel’s chefs to exploring a Berber village market and sharing a home-cooked lunch with a local family. Travelers looking to immerse themselves in Panama’s vibrant culture and food scene can
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enjoy a stay at Hyatt Regency Panama City. Whether exploring the colorful streets of Casco Viejo or savoring authentic cuisine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Rulfo, guests can experience the flavors and energy that define the destination. Immersive Cultural Discovery Just steps from Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, Hyatt Place Tallinn places guests in the heart of the city’s rich heritage and within easy reach of landmarks such as Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, as well as cobbled medieval streets, world-class museums, independent galleries and vibrant cafes that bring centuries of history to life.
SEASIDE ESCAPES — Plan a summer vacation with ocean breezes and sun-soaked days by the water. Photo provided by World of Hyatt. Steeped in history and tucked in the heart of Westminster, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, blends modern luxury with its storied past. Once home to Scottish royalty and later the headquarters of London’s Metropolitan Police, the hotel’s legacy of sophistication and intrigue inspires every detail and standout experience, including its hidden speakeasy-style bar, where inventive cocktails are inspired by the building’s colorful history and Michelin-starred dining. Set along Savannah’s vibrant riverfront, Thompson Savannah
offers a stylish gateway to one of the South’s most charming and culturally rich destinations. Travelers can explore centuries-old architecture in the city’s beautifully preserved Historic District and immerse themselves in the renowned arts scene before unwinding in a private cabana on the hotel’s pool deck or enjoying a cocktail at the rooftop bar. To find more destinations to aid in the escape from everyday routines, visit Hyatt.com for a full list of participating properties and full offer details. Source World of Hyatt
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10 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Dining/Leisure/Entertainment
Fixated on handyman tips My doctor’s office isn’t very modern. I don’t mean the scientific knowledge or the hightech diagnostic tools in his office. IN A I’m talking NUTSHELL about the By DICK magazines WOLFSIE in the waiting room. Recently, I got the chance to read the last print edition of Newsweek from 2012. Last year, I also breezed through Life magazine right before my EKG. One piece of reading material that caught my attention was “Family Handyman.” Here were the cover stories: • “Measure once, panic twice.” • “My drill keeps screwing around.” • “I built a gate and, yes, I nailed it.” • “Why my door and I are both off our hinges.” The lead story was “Five Great Sawhorse Designs.” I couldn’t wait to read it because, off the top of my head, I could think of only four, none of which they mentioned in the article. Also on the cover was “How to Make a Screw Organizer From a Leftover Piece of PVC Pipe.” I didn’t want to read too much exciting stuff like this since it can temporarily raise your blood pressure before they slap the cuff on you. I turned to a feature story about what to do if your Gorilla Glue gets hard in the tube and another on how to dig post holes in sandy soil. I read both carefully. After 46 years, Mary Ellen and I are always look-
ing for something new to talk about. This is my favorite: There was a three-page spread on “How to Cure a Sick Ceiling Fan.” “What would the fan be complaining of? Periodic dizziness? One piece was called “Best Advice for DIYers.” I thought it was about how to successfully drink beer and drill at the same time. Then I learned that a DIYer is a do-it-yourselfer. Another entry was titled “How to Make a Hidden Cutting Board.” I can never find ours when we need it, so I decided to skip that kitchen improvement project. “Maintaining Your Chimney” begins with a list of what you’ll need to do the job - items found around most houses. You need brushable crown sealer, chimney water repellent and a stainless-steel chimney cap. I had all of that in the garage except for the brushable crown sealer, the chimney water repellent and a stainless-steel chimney cap. Another article started: “Trying to run fish tape through an insulated stud bay can be a nightmare.” You have to have a pretty dull imagination if this is what you have bad dreams about. The regular monthly column was “How to Make Your Own Tools,” a great way to save money. The author showed how to take a long, flexible piece of tubing and attach a flashlight at the end for working in dark, hard-to-reach places, as in a doit-yourself plumbing project. It was really a clever gadget, but I tore the page out and threw it away. My next colonoscopy is coming up later in 2026, and with all the cost cutting in medicine, the fewer doctors who know about this, the better.
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TAKE A TRIP TO YESTERYEAR — The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, located in North Judson, offers regular train excurions every Saturday May through September. Shown is one of the trains going over the Kankakee River. Photo provided by Hoosier Valley Railroad.
Train excursions for all ages & all seasons By LORETTA KOSLOSKE Ridership Specialist Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Experience the sights and sounds of a bygone era while visiting the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, located in North Judson. Regular train excursions run every Saturday, May through September, and for special holiday events. Passengers have a choice of riding in open-air sightseeing cars or vintage coaches while rolling down the tracks through the Northwest Indiana countryside. Train excursions are round-trip from the depot and travel about five miles to the Kankakee River at English Lake, before returning to North Judson. The total length of each trip is approximately 45 minutes. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has an exciting schedule of special events planned for the remainder of 2026. Ice Cream Trains combine two old-fashioned favorites - homemade ice cream and trains. Autumn brings Pumpkin Trains, stopping at a pumpkin patch, while Santa Trains run in late November & December. Times and prices may vary for different events, so be sure to check the website at www. hoosiervalley.org. Remember that seating is limited, and it is recommended to purchase tickets, in advance, before excursions sell out. Before or after a train excursion, be sure to visit the
museum and grounds where admission is always free. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has one of the largest museum collections of working railroad signals and a restored World War II Pullman Troop Car. Stroll around the grounds to see all types of rolling stock, engines, and railroading memorabilia. HVRM is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization ded-
icated to the preservation and education of railroading history. Special group events (including school groups) can be arranged by contacting the depot. Visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum website (hoosiervalley.org) for a complete schedule of events. Order tickets at hoosiervalley.org or call the depot (574) 896-3950 on Saturdays or days when train excursions are scheduled.
The spiked watermelon debacle By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer An outdoor rock concert in Indy. Seemed ideal for us college chums. We packed supplies and away we went. Not knowing the challenge to come. For this event we went all out. And took a watermelon that was spiked. I had embalmed it with a fifth of booze. What could possibly not go right? Parking was bad, we had to hike, and carried that melon along. With visions of eating that boozy fruit. While listening to rock and roll songs. Approaching the gate we were chagrined. That melon was not allowed in! So again it was I hiked quite far. And returned that watermelon to the car. Looking back I have to smile. As I recall that long ago time The juice was awful but it was drank. And we considered it mighty fine.
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 11
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Salmon Serve the salmon over mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or rice for a flavorful dinner. 2 servings; Active Time 20 min.; Total Time 30 min. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup apple cider 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more to taste 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided Pinch of nutmeg 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 (4-ounce) wild salmon fillets, skin on 2 tablespoons finely diced leeks DIRECTIONS: Whisk 1 cup cider and 1 tablespoon mustard together in a small saucepan. Stir in 1/2 tablespoon each rosemary, thyme, sage and pepper, 1/8 teaspoon salt and a pinch of nutmeg. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Simmer, stirring often, until the cider has reduced and thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 tablespoon butter and stir until melted. Season 2 salmon fillets with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the salmon, skin-side up; cook until the fish flakes apart easily with a fork, 4 to 6 minutes per side. During the last 2 minutes of cook time, add leeks. Baste the salmon with the sauce. Serve the salmon with the sauce drizzled over it.
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12 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
Faith
Pastor leading by example of servant’s heart Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer Pastor Dale Combs doesn’t just preach the Gospel. He seeks to live the Gospel, as does his congregation. Several days after storms rocked Northwest Indiana, leaving many - including the church - without power, Combs and his people did something to make a difference for those impacted. As pastor of Jubilee Worship Center in Hobart, Combs was distributing care packages to families in need, lined up in the church’s parking lot. Inside the boxes were toiletries, water, paper towels and toilet tissue. The church worked in conjunction with Operation Compassion to provide the relief kits. Operation Compassion is a humanitarian nonprofit organization whose mission is to show compassion on a global level. Among its initiatives is disaster relief. “We know there are a lot of folks going through difficult times,” said Combs. “These are simple items, but they
GOD’S ARMY — Pastor Dale Combs has served Jubilee Worship Center for 37 years. Originally based in Lake Station, the church moved to Hobart 22 years ago and is actively involved in the community. can alleviate some of the difficulties for these people. Many are still without power.” Combs estimated a couple hundred families came that Friday, Aug. 14. He opened the distribution site early the following day for those waiting in line, but he was
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soon joined by other church volunteers. Community activism is nothing new for Jubilee. The church annually sponsors a school supply giveaway; supports the Foodbank of Northwest Indiana and the Hobart Food Pantry; sponsors outreach for youth, adults and seniors; holds a fall festival for the community; and formerly volunteered at Café Agape, a church-run soup kitchen in Hobart. The church’s men’s organization also recently sponsored a classic car show. “The church is very community-oriented,” said Lynn Ollen, a Jubilee member for 11 years. “Many people reach out to the community.”
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September 17th 3-4:30 pm CST
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Topic: Relay Indiana, Hearing loss assistive technology Location: LaPorte Main Library, 904 Indiana Ave., Laporte, IN 46350 - MN-Meeting Room B
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RELIEF EFFORT — Pastor Dale Combs of Jubilee Worship Center in Hobart distributes relief packages to families affected by the Aug. 11 storm that severely impacted Northwest Indiana. The faith community is involved in other service projects throughout the year. Combs, 65, has been pastor at Jubilee for 37 years. The church, which has 350 families, is affiliated with the Church of God, headquartered in Cleveland, Tenn., as is Operation Compassion. “We try to help individuals and churches in the surrounding areas,” Combs said. “We became a hub for them.” Relief distribution took place in the church’s fellowship hall. The church also sponsors a day care facility, nursery school and preschool. As Combs explained, “We’re the kind of church that’s not about ‘come and see,’ but ‘go and tell.’ We want people to tell the love of God by our hands extended.” The pastor continued, “We’re very service-oriented, with a servant’s heart. That’s very refreshing in a world that has become very self-centered.” A Hobart resident, Combs
describes “living one’s faith” as “being the hands and feet of Christ - serving, loving, caring.” Most of all, the pastor explained, “It’s giving people the Gospel message that Jesus Christ came and died for them and redeemed them, giving them eternal hope through Jesus Christ.” When it comes to inspiration, Combs turns to Jeremiah 29:11 - “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” “That tells me,” Combs said, “that God is in the midst of all we face, and it’s going to work out fine. It’s not for us to question or despair; with Him, we can get through it all.” The veteran pastor takes what he calls a five-finger approach to faith: “I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who gives me strength.”
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A VALUABLE BENEFIT — For Americans turning 65 means unlocking one of the most valuable benefits earned - Medicare. Get information about Medicare before turning 65. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH — Turning 65 is a milestone worth celebrating and perfect time to focus on your health, well-being and starting your Medicare journey. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
Your Medicare Roadmap -
What to know before you turn 65 Feature Impact - Sixty-five is more than a number. It’s a milestone. A moment to reflect on where you’ve been and look forward with confidence to what comes next. For millions of Americans, turning 65 also means unlocking one of the most valuable benefits you’ve earned: Medicare. The best is still ahead, and it starts with knowing your options. The official source for Medicare information, Medicare.gov, is here to help with clear, trusted information. The path to Medicare is not the same for everyone. Some people get Medicare automatically and others have to sign up. It depends on whether you are already getting Social Security. Either way, you’ll want to choose how you get your Medicare coverage. Get information for your path at Medicare.gov, where you can find out when and
how to enroll and explore your coverage options. Understanding Your Medicare Coverage Options When you first sign up for Medicare, you choose how to get your coverage. There are two main options: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare is health coverage provided directly by the federal government. It has two parts: • Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A. • Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services (like screenings, vaccines and annual wellness visits) and durable medical
equipment like wheelchairs and walkers. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month and is typically deducted from your Social Security check. With Original Medicare, you can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. You can also add optional coverage to help manage costs: • Medigap (Supplemental Insurance) helps pay your share of Medicare costs. • Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) helps pay for medications. Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare that provides Part A and Part B and is offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. You still pay the Part B premium. Some plans charge an additional premium – though many carry a $0 plan premium and may even
A guide to growing thriving plants indoors Feature Impact - Lush greenery can add a sense of calm to many homes, and bringing it indoors can help transform nearly any room into a relaxing oasis. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just beginning your indoor gardening journey, this guide can help you get started and succeed in growing healthy plants indoors. Choose The Right Plants Not all houseplants are created equal, and the first step toward a flourishing indoor garden is picking plants that align with your home’s conditions. If your home has several bright and sunny rooms, light-loving varieties will likely thrive. For shadier spots, look for low-light-tolerant plants, which are often easier to care for and more forgiving. Provide Adequate Light Most houseplants prefer bright, indirect light, that soft
glow when positioned just inside a window (and turned regularly for even light). However, some can tolerate lower light levels. If natural sunlight is limited where you live, consider grow lights that mimic the sun’s spectrum and help plants keep their color and strong growth without plenty of daylight. Avoid Overwatering Too much water can lead to root rot and is one of the most common mistakes even the most experienced gardeners make. Rather than watering on a strict schedule, check the soil first. If the top inch is dry, it’s usually time to give your plant a drink. Add warm or room-temperature water until you see moisture come out of the pot’s drainage holes, then let the soil dry before watering again. Consider the Soil, Pot And Growth Space Use a high-quality potting
mix designed for indoor plants along with pots featuring proper drainage. If you prefer decorative planters without holes, consider placing your plant in a smaller pot inside the decorative one to ensure proper drainage. As plants grow, they may need to be repotted to give their roots room to spread and continue healthy growth. Nourish During The Growing Season Plants use more nutrients in spring and summer, so feed them with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during active months. In fall and winter, most indoor plants grow more slowly and need less feeding. Also remember to regularly prune dead or yellowing leaves to help plants focus on new growth. Find more tips and guidance to help your indoor plants thrive at eLivingtoday.com.
help cover part of your Part B cost. Most plans include in Part D drug coverage along with extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing. Keep in mind most plans require you to use doctors within the plan’s network. 5 Steps To Enroll With Confidence 1. Use official sources. Go to Medicare.gov or call (800) MEDICARE for step-by-step, personalized guidance on coverage and enrollment. 2. Start early. You don’t have to wait until your birthday. Explore your options now so you’re ready when your enrollment window opens. 3. Know your enrollment path. Your path depends on your circumstances – some people are automatically enrolled and some are not. There are unique steps for people who are still working. 4. Avoid late enrollment penalties. Missing your enrollment window can result in a permanent premium penalty for both Part B and Part D. Signing up on time protects
your wallet for years to come. 5. Compare plans and save. At Medicare.gov, you can compare plan costs side-by-side, based on the specific drugs you take. A quick comparison could save you money each year. You can also confirm your current doctors are in-network before you choose a plan. Turning 65 is a milestone worth celebrating and it’s the perfect time to focus on what matters most: your health and well-being. That includes eating well, exercising and making sure you have health insurance that fits your needs. There’s no one-sizefits-all plan. What’s important is finding an option that works for you and your health and financial needs. Start your journey at Medicare.gov – your roadmap to a healthier and confident future. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Health & Fitness
7 tips on how to stop constant worrying in your life Editor’s Note: Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers 200 plus techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. By STAN POPOVICH Guest Columnist Do you find yourself worrying about everything that is going on around you? It can be very tiring and depressing to constantly worry about your family, your job, your health, and everything else that is happening. Having things out of your control is very scary. As a result, here are seven tips on how to overcome the cycle of worry and fear in your life. 1. Focus on the facts of your situation; not your thoughts: When people are stressed out, they rely on their fearful and depressing thoughts.
Your fearful thoughts are exaggerated and are not based on reality. When you are anxious, focus on the facts of your current situation and not on what you think. 2. You can’t predict the future: Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you are afraid of does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For example, you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. 3. Take a break: Take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get your mind off of your
STAN POPOVICH anxieties and stresses. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, watch TV, play on the computer, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This will distract you from your current worries. 4. Take it one day at a time: Instead of worrying about
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times, it helps to be able to talk to someone about your stressful situations. Talking to a trusted friend, counselor, or clergyman can give you additional advice and insights on how to deal with the fear of the unknown. Remember that there is nothing wrong in asking for assistance. For more information,visit managingfear.com.
Women need extra precautions during exercise By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features Researchers and health-care professionals tout the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise throughout one’s life to achieve and maintain overall wellness. This is especially important for women, say experts, to help keep those extra pounds at bay. The reason is simple. Beginning in her late 20s and 30s, a woman’s average body weight climbs steadily each year. This increase usually continues into her 60s. For most women, the weight gain is between one to two pounds per year. To prevent weight gain, an average woman who eats a normal diet needs 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day. If she is overweight or obese, 60 minutes of exercise is not enough to keep off the weight. In many cases, she will have to modify her diet, including cutting down on overall daily caloric intake. For older women, a dose of moderate, regular exercise may slow the progression of age-related memory loss. Despite the numerous health benefits that accompany exercise, there are some important things women need to keep in mind to prevent injury. Women need to take extra precautions because, although they may feel less sore than men after vigorous exercise, due to hormonal differences, women will have more laxity in their ligaments and potentially more ligament injury at extreme stresses. Women also are more likely to experience knee pain than men, especially in the knee-cap region. This is partially due to an anatomical difference in the knee angle that puts women’s knees at an increased level of stress. Before working out, women should make sure to: Stretch. Stretching and light aerobic activity to get the heart rate up helps to warm you up and prevent muscle injury, and Hydrate. Many people are chronically operating on a fluid deficit, and working out and sweating further depletes their fluid reserves. It is vital to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise and always monitor your fluid levels to prevent muscle injury and overheating. Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 15
Health & Fitness
You Asked, Eye Doctors Answer: Common eye health questions explained StatePoint - If you’ve ever turned to the internet with a question about your eyes whether it’s dryness, blurry vision or an unexpected eye twitch, you’re not alone. Eye doctors hear these same questions from patients every day. To help separate fact from fiction, VSP network doctors Bradley Grant, O.D., of VisionPoint Eye Center in Illinois, and Sonia Chung, O.D., M.Ed. medical director of TSA at Visionworks in Arizona, answer the top questions being asked online and in the exam room. Why are my eyes always dry? Grant: Dry eye is one of the most common and chronic eye conditions we see in patients and occurs when your eyes don’t produce sufficient tears or there is a deficiency in the quality of your tears. The tears you produce when you blink are important because they help keep your eyes hydrated and clear of irritants and provide a clear optical surface for stable vision. Since dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, such as excessive screen time, contact lens us or exposure to smoke and allergens, it’s important to see your eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Why do my eyes look red and bloodshot? Chung: Red or bloodshot eyes are often a symptom of an underlying cause, such as allergies, tiredness, dry eyes, contact lens irritation, exposure to smoke or other irritants or infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye). Some of the simplest ways to get relief include trying preservative-free artificial tears you can purchase over the counter,
applying a cold compress to your eyes, avoiding environmental irritants and washing your hands before touching your eyes. Your local eye doctor is a great resource to recommend reputable eye drops and help determine what’s causing redness if it doesn’t improve or keeps coming back. Why does my eye twitch randomly? Grant: Eye twitching, clinically known as eyelid myokymia, happens when the lower eyelid begins to involuntarily spasm. Minor eye twitching often resolves as quickly as it starts. Fatigue, stress, eye strain and caffeine or alcohol consumption are the most common causes. Simple lifestyle changes often help stop twitching. I recommend getting at least eight hours of sleep, increasing hydration while decreasing caffeine and alcohol intake and minimizing stressors. If eye twitching is due to eye strain or vision-related stress, you may need corrective lenses or an updated prescription. Why is my vision cloudy or blurry? Chung: Cloudy or blurry vision can happen for a few common reasons, including dry eyes, eye strain or prescription changes. It can also be related to conditions like cataracts, which cloud the eye’s lens. This is something patients ask about frequently, and at Visionworks, it’s often a reminder that eye changes shouldn’t be ignored, even when they seem minor. Sometimes, blurry vision can be a sign of broader health issues, like diabetes. That’s why it’s important to mention any changes in visual clarity during your exam. Your eye doctor can help uncover what’s behind it
OPPORTUNITY — Annual eye exams are a great opportunity to ask questions and talk with your eye doctor if something is bothering you. Photo provided by Azman Jaka. and guide you on next steps. Do I really need to see my eye doctor if my vision is clear and I don’t wear glasses? Grant: A comprehensive eye exam plays an important role in preventive care. During an eye exam, your optometrist can detect signs of more than 270 health conditions, many of which don’t show early warning signs and can impact overall wellness, not just vision. That’s why it’s truly nice to see you every year - an annual eye exam gives us the chance to answer your questions, catch subtle changes, and get a clearer picture of your overall well-being. To schedule your annual eye exam, find a Visionworks
location near you at locations. visionworks.com, or locate additional VSP network doctors in your area at vsp.com/eye-doctor. When it comes to your eyes, what you see isn’t always the
whole story. Annual eye exams provide an opportunity to ask common eye health questions and get personalized answers from an optometrist you trust in the context of your overall health.
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16 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
70s Flashback -
Were you in the mood for a ring? Every decade has its fads intense and often silly crazes that set popular culture ablaze, only to quickly By RANDAL flame out C. HILL and disappear overnight. The 1950s saw the coming and going of 3-D movies, Davy Crockett caps and Hula Hoops. Miniskirts, lava lamps and tie-dyed clothing helped define the next decade. The 1970s brought us Pet Rocks, water beds and mood rings. Ah, yes. Mood rings. How cool were those! Pieces of jewelry that claimed to change color to reflect a wearer’s emotional state. If you were happy, your band turned blue. Brown meant that you were a grouch. Black? You lived under a cloud of gloom. (Cheer up, please!) The fact that mood rings responded to body temperature rather than emotions didn’t seem to concern anyone. What do you remember about these once-hot hoops? They hit their popularity peak in the summer and fall of
1975, and, in addition to the rings themselves, additional mood-revealing items offered included mood nail polish, mood shoes, and mood underwear. (One assumes that the last-mentioned involved the smallest audience.) While the rage was fresh and exciting during the middle of the decade, the technology itself was old hat. Inside the “quartz stones” was heat-sensitive liquid crystal, chemically synthesized from grease extracted from sheep’s wool. Sheep’s wool had also been utilized in an earlier craze: 3-D glasses. Okay, so what was unique about these baubles? One answer is that they were associated with the psycho-spiritual gibberish of the time. For this, we can praise or blame (depending on your point of view) a business-driven Wall Street dropout named Joshua Reynolds. During a search to overcome debilitating anxieties, Reynolds had discovered biofeedback - a modulating of one’s brain-wave emissions. This led him to establish Q-Tran (“Tran” for tranquility), a meditation center in the Big Apple. Here stressed-out patrons
were promised relief if they were hooked up to a complicated biofeedback machine. But a pair of problems clouded the picture: the machine was jaw-droppingly expensive, and it broke down with seeming regularity. Reynolds countered both issues with a simple solution: create a “portable feedback aid” in the form of a band that featured about a dime’s worth of liquid crystal. He hired a press agent, convinced the cosmetic company Faberge to back him, and soon found himself rocketing to pop-culture popularity. For a while, mood rings reigned as the ultimate “in” item. On the first day they went on sale at Manhattan’s posh Bonwit Teller department store, 1,000 rings were snapped up at $45 each (around $275 in today’s money). By the end of the year, 15 million had been sold. The knickknacks ranged from $5 knockoffs to 14-karat-gold specialties with a $250 price tag. Superstar celebrities (Paul Newman, Barbra Streisand, Muhammad Ali) vouched for them. Ali even wrote a poem about his. Eventually, mood rings ended up on the slag heap of
THE MOOD RING — An original mood ring was introduced as the Mood Stone in 1975. Photo from Wikipedia. discarded fads once deemed essential to coolness. Today they are only remembered with a smile, and possibly - or probably - a bit of embarrassment. Bibliography Book: Stern, Jane and Michael. “The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste.” (p. 218) New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1990. Internet: “How Mood Rings Work.” (No
author or date listed) bestmoodrings.com. Jacobs, Matt. “The History of the Mystery of the Mood Ring.” May 20, 2021. blinkee.com. Mood Rings. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org. “Mood Rings: From ‘70s Fad and ‘90s Nostalgia to LCDs and NFTS.” (No author listed) Jan. 5, 2024. ripleys.com. Wakeman, Gregory. “How Mood Rings Became a 1970s Sensation.” April 23, 2025. history.com.
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Ignite Medical Resort of Chesterton 2775 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 304-6700 www.ignitemedicalresorts.com
Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted
Residences at Deer Creek
Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 864-0700 • ResidencesSeniorLiving.com
Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility
Ignite Medical Resort of Crown Point 1555 S. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 323-8700 www.ignitemedicalresorts.com Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility
Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing 24/7, Ready Set Go Program for Rehab to Home; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Exceptional Wound Care; Respite Care; Pallitative and Hospice Care; Long-term Care; Private/Semi-Private Rooms; Pet Visitation Allowed; Medicare, Medicaid, Most Insurances, Private Pay Accepted
Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted
Saint Anthony
203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100 MajesticCare.com
Assisted Living, Private Rooms, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Services (including Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy), Pet Visitation, Accepts Most Payer Sources. *Saint Anthony is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Gary or the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
Contact Becky For More Details! 219-241-5483 slwest@the-papers.com • www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
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September 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 19
Travel
Blue Ridge Mountains: Moonshine capital of the world By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Guest Writer The Blue Ridge Mountains, and the infamous parkway that runs through them, are famous for many things: scenic drives, nature tours, hiking trails, fall foliage, farmers markets, historical sites and so much more. And yet none of that covers the most interesting attribute of this Roanoke region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the city known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its Franklin County neighbor. It’s the “Moonshine Capital of the World.” Before, during and after Prohibition, bootlegging reigned supreme. And it’s no slouch in today’s world either. First, a little background. During the late 1800s, distilleries in the area were abundant. The mountain geography provided secluded protection for hidden stills. Corn was plentiful and easily turned into whiskey - and making moonshine was profitable. And then Prohibition hit! Consensus thinking at the time was that it would inhibit drinking and the making of it. But, of course, that was nonsense. Binge drinking probably got its start during Prohibition. The demand for illegal alcohol skyrocketed - and the Franklin County bootleggers were more than happy to oblige, developing sophisticated transportation routes to move liquor up and down the East Coast. It famously claimed to produce more illicit liquor than anywhere else in the U.S. during Prohibition, entitling the area to the moniker “Moonshine Capital of the World,” a label it remains proud of to this day. My recent visit to the area reinforced that impression. After all, there’s a museum devoted to the very idea - albeit with a slightly different orientation. The Moonshine Explosion Museum is devoted to just that - a June 11, 1930, literal explosion of two overheating Model T Fords that drove into a garage for repair. Why did they explode? Trunks full of illegal liquor also overheated. Charred remains of the cars are still ensconced in the basement of the original building, which was built in 1912, but they weren’t discovered until 2017 during basement renovations although the story proliferated well before and after. But despite the museum’s singular name, it also paints a much more complete picture of the still-celebrated history of moonshine, which kept many an Appalachian family able to survive. The museum highlights the connection between “white lightning” (AKA firewater, hooch) and the community, fostering a sense of resilience and ingenuity - and, oh yes, a massive evasion of the law. Franklin County became known for its high-quality moonshine and the persistence of its moonshiners in resisting authorities.
GETTING A TASTE — Fyllis imbibing moonshine at Twin Creeks Distillery. Photo by Victor Block. And apparently, ramifications of that questionable ability exist today. Because many moonshiners modified cars to outrun law enforcement, the culture influenced early stockcar racing, and that tradition helped contribute to the origins of NASCAR. Not entirely sure how I feel about that particular legacy. ... But back to bootlegging - and the notorious Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, the second-longest trial in Virginia history. It involved a high-profile legal case involving 23 defendants accused of multiple large-scale moonshine operations. Many were convicted, but the illegal operations continued to thrive. A visit to Twin Creeks Distillery underscores the appeal of the original moonshine. For starters, Twin Creeks owner and master distiller Chris Prillman is the grandson of Peg Hatcher, one of the kingpins convicted in the Great Moonshine Conspiracy of 1935. That’s quite a family legacy! As much as it sounds like an oxymoron, they serve legal moonshine - slightly less high-octane than the mountain variety and government-regulated. It’s the only establishment in the area to do so. And Prillman continues to pay tribute to his grandfather by crafting spirits just as he did. So when I say master distiller, I mean Prillman is still making his “bathtub gin” - the colloquial term for stills that are large enough to be utilitarian and small enough to easily hide - at home. Whether he’s still using a bathtub, I don’t know. Back at the distillery, I sampled - OK, guzzled - a coffee moonshine made by a local coffee shop owner who still refuses to divulge his recipe that far and away surpasses any espresso martini I’ve ever had. Flights of “cocktails” adorn the menu. Apparently, fancy cocktails were the norm during Prohibition, as bartenders had to get creative in order to mask the taste of poor-quality liquor. Of course, Franklin County probably didn’t have any poor-quality hooch. ...
HOW IT WAS DONE — Shown is a moonshine still. Photo by Cateyeperspective with Dreamstime.com
REMNANTS — Remnants of exploded cars are displayed at the Moonshine Explosion Museum. Photo by Fyllis Hockman. More family legacy is carried on by Twin Creeks’ manager, Kathy, whose father owns three of the original moonshine cars that led to NASCAR, with enhanced power and extra-large trunks designed to transport the profitable product. According to Steven Ray Tickle, another proud moonshining legacy and star of the surprisingly popular TV show “Moonshiners,” “People mistakenly think moonshiners just want to break the law, but that’s not true. They just want to carry on a tradition that’s part of the American heritage. They helped found and fund the Declaration of Independence .... If you really love your country, you’re gonna have to love moonshine.” So if you’re thinking that pretty much brings the story of moonshine to the current day, keep reading. On yet another modern-day front, Franklin County’s moonshine era may seem like a relic of Prohibition, but the legal arguments surrounding home distilling are still alive. More than a century after moonshiners in Virginia’s Blue Ridge battled federal liquor laws, the question of who can legally make whiskey - and under what authority the government can stop them - remains unsettled. In an unexpected twist, a debate that once played out on the ridges and hollows of Virginia’s moonshine country - very much still “The Moonshine Capital of the World” - may soon be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. I’ll drink to that! For more information, visit Visit Roanoke, the Moonshine Explosion Museum and Twin Creeks Distillery.
THE STORY — Shown is the story of the 1935 Great Conspiracy Trial. Photo by Fyllis Hockman.
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20 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ September 2026
4 daily brain health habits for better cognition Feature Impact - Your brain works hard for you, so it’s only fair to return the favor by practicing simple everyday habits to keep this important organ strong and thriving. Start by tweaking your daily routine to focus on these four habits. Prioritize Sleep Getting quality sleep is vital for proper brain function. If you find you’ve slipped into the habit of staying up later than you should or notice your sleep being disrupted during the night, those are signs to revisit your sleep hygiene practices. Start by establishing a regular bedtime and wake-up time that will give you the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep. Turn your bedroom into a comfortable refuge from the world: keep it cool and dark, and set
FLAVONOL BENEFITS—The intake of certain kinds of flavonols is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer dementia. Photo provided by California Table Grape Commission. up fans or noise machines if you need them to quiet your mind. Avoid consuming
caffeine or alcohol too close to bedtime and try switching to a book instead of a screen when
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BOOST YOUR BRAIN—Grapes are among many foods that help nourish and boost brain health. They deliver antioxidants and dietary flavonols that promote anti-inflammatory activity. Photo provided by California Table Grape Commission. it’s time to wind down. Eat Smart Just like the rest of the body, the brain is nourished by food. Some of its favorite foods are options rich in healthy fats such as fish, avocado, olive oil and nuts, as well as vegetables like leafy greens, which offer carotenoids, and fruits such as grapes, which deliver antioxidants and other polyphenols. Combine several of these powerful brain-boosting foods at once with this California Grape and Sardine Avocado Toast recipe. The fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and the avocado offers a boost of healthy unsaturated fat, while the grapes add protective dietary flavonols, which may help promote anti-inflammatory and beneficial antioxidant activity. A study published in the scientific journal “Neurology” found a higher intake of certain flavonols, including three naturally found in grapes, is associated with a 48% decreased risk of developing Alzheimer dementia. Get Moving Adding even more proof that what’s good for your body is good for your mind, getting
regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Motivate yourself by choosing a form of movement you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s a daily walk on a nearby nature trail, a dance class, a bike ride or a heart-pumping workout video. Challenge Your Mind Don’t forget to give your brain its own workout, too. Doing something mentally stimulating every day is a great way to keep yourself sharp, and there are plenty of ideas to choose from. Try learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument, playing a mentally engaging card or board game, doing a puzzle, reading a book or immersing yourself in a creative writing or art project. The options are nearly endless, and if you want to make your brain extra happy, you can snack on handfuls of grapes as you enjoy your hobby. Learn more about the connection between grapes and brain health and discover more recipes by visiting GrapesFromCalifornia.com. California Grape And Sardine Avocado Toast Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 1 large firm, ripe avocado, halved and pitted 4 small slices rustic whole grain bread (1/2-inch thick), toasted or grilled 1 individual container sardines in olive oil or water, drained 1/2 cup quartered red and black Grapes from California Aleppo pepper flakes fresh cilantro, snipped 1 lemon half salt (optional) With a spoon, scoop avocado out of skin and use fork to coarsely mash. Spread onto bread slices and top with whole or torn sardines. Sprinkle grapes over sardines. Top with a generous sprinkle of Aleppo pepper, cilantro, squeeze of fresh lemon and salt, if desired. Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 11 g protein; 29 g carbohydrates; 16 g fat (50% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 20 mg cholesterol; 210 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.